How to create blessing bags for those in need – everything we included in our bags plus some tips from these we learned along the way.
Let me kick this off for a little back story, in case you missed my instagram story covering the topic. This Christmas, Joshua’s grandparents gave us 5 – $10 bills and challenged us to use the money to help someone (or multiple people) that are less blessed than we are. A beautiful gift and such a great way to spread love around the holiday season.
Joshua and I quickly decided we were going to create blessing bags. Bags filled with items those in need may want and need. We were first introduced to these bags by our church this summer. We had the opportunity to make them following a Sunday service. It was an activity we throughly enjoyed but the real enjoyment came when we started to give them out.
We split up the bags – a few in my car, a few in Joshua’s car. The very first bag we gave out was to a young guy at a stop light holding a sign saying “Anything will help. God bless”. Joshua reached in the back, put his window down, and handed the bag to the guy. Tears are filling my eyes as I remember this moment and this sweet guys face – he absolutely LIT UP! The excitement was overwhelming with several thank you’s and God bless you’s.
Recalling that moment and several other experiences like that, there was no question, we wanted to make these bags again! I shared a little about what we included in the bags and how they looked once complete on stories this past Saturday. Following that a couple of you reached out asking for a blog post so you could remember everything and also pin for when your kids are a little order so you could do this together as a family activity – love that!
Below you will find everything we included in our blessing bags. Everything (except the toothpaste) came to $49.02 with the toothpaste the total was $61.03. And we were able to make 12 bags!
Everything We Included in Our Blessing Bags
Gallon Zip-lock Bags
Bottled Water (2)
Jerky
Granola Bars
Trail Mix
Hand Warmers
Foot Warmers
Toothbrush
Travel Toothpaste
Almonds
Tall Black Socks
* I did have a follower reach out to me who works with the homeless community and stated that appreciate everything BUT a lot of them have dental issues and do not have the ability to chew hard things. Therefore, next go around we will skip the nuts and also opt for softer granola bars. Nutri-Grain bars would be a great option!
P.S. if you make these and share, please tag me! I would love to see what you put together!
These are so cool and I love that y’all do this! Truly lights in this world!
-Morgan
The HER Chronicles [] http://theherchronicles.com
Thank you gal! We love doing it 🙂 and you are so sweet to say that.
xo Laura Leigh
I saw you talk about this on your instgram, but love that you did a blog post too! This is one of my favorite things my parents did with my sister and I when we were younger.
http://moosmusing.com
Thank you Mariah! Aw I love that y’all did it growing up – we will 100% be doing the same with our future little ones.
xo Laura Leigh
Omg I love this idea! This is so kind of you and Josh to create these blessing bags. Giving back is the best kind of gift!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Thank you Rach! Completely agree – the best kind of gift!
xo Laura Leigh
I love this idea so much! I am going to make some for my car ASAP.
xoxo,
Kim
Thanks Kim! Yay!! I LOVE hearing that!
xo Laura Leigh
Such an amazing idea!! Really loving this – so kind of y’all to give back!
Thank you girl friend!!
xo Laura Leigh
My hubby and I used to do this! We haven’t in a while but I’d love to get back into it. My hubby always has a 24 pack of water bottles in his car though. I’d love to give back more this year!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Love that! So sweet of your husband. With you gal – this year we are all about giving back to our community.
xo Laura Leigh
This is such a thoughtful idea and hope it catches on, Totally doable! xoxo, Sarah
Thanks gal! Hope so as well!
xo Laura Leigh
Omg I love that you guys do this! This is too sweet! What a great idea.
Thank you Morgan 🙂
xo Laura Leigh
This is the sweetest thing Laura!! Last year I bought a bunch of fast food restaurant gift cards and kept them in my car to hand to those in need. I love this bag idea though! A great reminder to love on everyone in our communities.
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Thank you Annaliese 🙂 Love that you do that – such a great idea!
xo Laura Leigh
Wow, this was such a powerful post! Love that idea and it’s such a great way to brighten another’s day. Definitely going to make these sometime!
Kileen
Aw thank you sweet gal! Definitely agree and your own day as well 🙂 you’ll have to let me know what you put in your bags.
xo Laura Leigh
I really loved seeing bits of this on your stories. I want to do something like this with my husband soon. It’s really inspiring!
Aw thank you gal! Definitely tag me if y’all end up making them!
xo Laura Leigh
Laura, you do great work, that is a great idea We love both of you
G &/G
Thank you so much you two! And thank you for inspiring this – we love you!
xo Laura Leigh
I love this idea, and what a sweet gift from Joshua’s grandparents!! I just posted about a way to give back yesterday. It’s a great thing to help those in need.
Xo, Kelsey
Really so sweet of them – such a great gift idea! Couldn’t agree with you more!
xo Laura Leigh
Laura, these are such a great idea! Love that you did this & chose to share it so others can take part!
Aw thank you Emily 🙂 I really appreciate that gal! Hoping to inspire others to do the same and have those in need feel all the love from their communities!
xo Laura Leigh
This is amazing! Thank you for the inspiration and the reminder to give back! Amazing post!
Of course gal! Thank you for checking out the post!
xo Laura Leigh